The Linnets hope to have their new kit on show for their inaugural game of the new Nationwide Conference North league against Redditch United on Saturday. A last minute shirt sponsorship deal with Halton Borough Council meant that shirts have had to be printed with the council logo, in addition to the other decals that need to be added before they can be used for league matches.

This season's strip will feature Nationwide decals on the shoulder/sleeve as part of the move into Conference North, in addition to the new club emblem; the Linnet.

There has been some speculation about the newly announced club emblem, and whether it will be replacing, or featuring on the club badge (as can be seen in the top left hand corner of this page). The answer to both of those questions is a resounding "No!". The club emblem will feature on the new club shirts, but the club badge will not change, and is used on season tickets, letterheads, merchandise, etc. and is an important part of the club's identity.

Some fans have asked what the point of introducing a new club emblem is. The club feels it would benefit from a location-neutral logo and identity for marketing purposes. By introducing a marketing identity that doesn't refer directly to Runcorn or Widnes, it's hoped that it's one barrier removed for potential fans to come to matches with a feeling that the club is their local team and applicable to them, regardless of whether they live in Runcorn or Widnes, whilst at the same time not ostracizing the existing fans that the club are proud to have.

Runcorn FC Halton would like to introduce Linnet Bear. Linnet Bear will feature in forthcoming programmes as he goes on tour around the world. He has already been to two far away countries and is off on his travels again next week. Why not buy a programme to find out where he has been? The first photos will be in programme 2.

We want fans to offer to take Linnet Bear with them if they go abroad to a country he has not visited. Our aim is to send him to as many countries as possible to have his photo taken at a well known location. If you are off on holiday abroad and can help out please contact Derek Greenwood for the loan of Linnet Bear.

To keep up-to-date with where he has been buy a copy of Linnets Review. Once the photos have appeared in the programme you will then be able to find them on Linnet Bear's very own page.

Join in the fun! Take Linnet Bear to a new destination for us.

Runcorn may be kicking off the new season in last season's kit after Halton Borough Council's delayed decision that they will once again be shirt sponsors this season.

The council only informed the club late last week that they will renew their sponsorship with the club ordering the kit straight away. However the manufacturers have been inundated with requests for replica kits from other clubs, and despite pledging to do all they can, it remains to be seen whether the new kit will be ready on time.

This season Runcorn will have new home and away kits. The home kit has a yellow and green top, with green shorts and yellow socks, whilst the away kit has reverted back to a red and white top with red shorts and red socks.

Supporters can order both the home and away kits in the concourse area of the Halton Stadium on the first game of the season.

Despite leading with two goals from Ged Courtney, Runcorn were unable to keep the advantage against Rhyl, and succumbed to a 3-2 defeat in blistering heat.

The Linnets are gearing up for the inaugural Conference North season with renewed optimism. After just making the grade by finishing in 13th place in the UniBond Premier league last season, Chris Lightfoot has built upon the strengths within his squad with the signing of a number of new players, and is hoping that our home form can match our away form of last season.

In the off-season period there have been a number of changes within the club, and a number of new faces have taken on responsibility for media relations and programme production. This year the club will enjoy extended coverage on Wire FM, the local radio station of Runcorn, Widnes, and Warrington (107.2Mhz), and will be specially featured in the Non-League Daily paper. As has been the case previously, you will find all the latest news on this website, but hopefully you will notice an improvement in the number and timing of the articles this season. Publicity for matches will be improved in the local area, but don't forget, you can always help the club by downloading posters for home matches and displaying them at your school, or place of work.

The club has officially adopted the Linnet as its new emblem, after having it as their nick-name for some time. Watch out for the release of the new club emblem soon! The new emblem will feature on this seasons kit, and is the basis for the new (or old, for those with long memories) name of the new-look matchday programme, the "Linnet's Review". This new programme will be a big improvement on previous season's programmes and will feature a serialisation of the Linnet's history. Fans won't want to miss an issue so you can pre-purchase your programmes at a discount to ensure that you don't miss any.

This season will also see a new half-time draw with the introduction of a 50/50 draw, where the winner gets to keep half of the takings.

One of the main aims of the club this year is to increase the number of spectators at matches, with an initial target of 500. The campaign to achieve this goal, called “The Linnets 500”, will be aided by the other improvements in publicity that the club has put in place, but will feature specific initiatives throughout the season. Listen out to Wire FM for your chance to win tickets to one of our home games.

The renewed optimism of the club has aided sponsorship, which is up this season on last, and the club is now able to offer board advertising around the edge of the pitch for its matches. If anybody is interested in sponsoring the club or players, placing advertisements in the new-look matchday programme, or making use of the new pitch-side advertising facility, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the club via the feedback page.